Time Traveling on the NYC Ninth Ave El

American Mutoscope and Biograph Company The Thomas Edison Motion Picture Co. One of the earliest motion picture subjects was a ride on the 110th St structure during the Steam Era. The film is only couple of minutes in length. However, the historical value of the film far exceeds the duration of the film. There are several titles and descriptions of the contents of the film. Upon studying of the film, we believe that the following description is an accurate account of the scenes as presented. The first 40 seconds show 6th Ave El trains turning to and from 53rd St at that junction looking North on the 9th Ave El structure. The scene immediately shifts to a train moving north on the center track just as the structure curves East onto 110th St. A s/b train passes to the left. Upon coming on to the tangent section of track on 110th St, a n/b train is seen ahead. The train continues East past where the 110th St station will be built on the left and then the train turns North onto Eighth Ave. The two-track 116th St station is in the distance. Another n/b train passes on the right. A s/b train departs the 116th St Station as we approach the Y switch at the station. The switch signal turns and the switch opens to the n/b track as another n/b train passes on the right.

Posted by Data Bear on March 2, 2011 at 6:03 PM

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